Bulls
I think this is a first: A guest who has truly “run with the bulls.” See the video of Dr. Tim Irwin as he tries to outpace the huge bulls of Pamplona, Spain. Look for the “Watch…” sidebar on the right and click for the video. Now I can say I know someone who did that!
For the adverturous soul who’d really prefer something a bit, well, safer than stampeding bulls: take Dr. Irwin’s “Run With The Bulls” assessment. It is free, and according to the site,
This exercise will help you to identify your strengths and areas needing development in a work setting.
Sounds like a good way to spend a few minutes. As we start a new month, why not invest a little time and thought to see how you can be a better person?
Posting Signs For The Kids?
Just yesterday my wife and I were enjoying a beautiful autumn day in the Rocky Mountains and the conversation turned to our kids. A few of them have been a bit lazy of late, not paying enough attention to their schoolwork or household chores. That leads to some parental reminders, and those in turn become occasional arguments.
I love my children, I do! It just seems that they are, well, rather childish sometimes. Can’t forget that I was once a kid, too. One of the things we discussed on our walk was how to help manage expectations for behavior with some written guidelines.
Now, I’m not in favor of an overly rigid approach to child-rearing. I don’t care for legalistic rules that lead to unreasonable consequences for misbehavior. So I don’t want to post a “101 Rules For Being A Successful Fuller” sign on the living room wall!
I’ve observed, though, that there can be a lack of harmony in the home when guidelines are absent.
Author and parenting expert Gary Smalley has some general advice for families that can really make a difference in this regard. At first you may want to discount his suggestion that families implement a constitution - a written document that outlines how the family will behave - it does seem somewhat simplistic or perhaps too black and white. But it makes a lot of sense to me.
Here’s how Gary describes his approach:“You actually write articles of your family constitution, putting down a simple plan of how you intend to stay in love and in harmony - and you, your wife and kids agree on that plan. [Then] you type it up and put it on the wall. There’s power in the printed word … and everyday you’re reminded of it.”
Hear him describe his methodology for managing expectations and behavior in this two-part series. And check out a sample family constitution here.
Turning Fifty and Handling Finances
Okay, I’m not turning fifty - at least not yet. That particular milestone is in my near-future, though, and all-too-soon I’ll have a birthday cake with that lots candles on it. Oh, the jokes that will fly around the table.
Perhaps one of the things I am contemplating more and more as I approach the big five-oh is the matter of finances. Not that I am worried, but I’ve been in “full time Christian ministry” most of my adult life, and for many years did not have any retirement plan whatsoever. So I’ve been playing catch up, and hitting 50 will surely make it seem all the more important to get things in order for the final years of work and beyond.
Mid-life does have its stereotypical side. It’s not a matter of wanting to buy a big RV, or a Harley…although when the time comes, those may be things that tempt me. Its really more of a stewardship issue, making sure we’re utilizing the resources entrusted to us in the wiset way possible, while also making sure I provide for my wife and kids should something untimely occur.
We’ve all heard the stats, about how few Americans save adequately for retirement, how many Americans are in significant debt and such. How about you? Are you in the majority or the minority?
Regardless, here’s a practical conversation about making sure you finish well - financially - in the latter half of life. Two experts with a biblically-informed perspective on finances.
Good stuff, whether you’re already 50 or beyond, or even if you’re only in your 30s…because 50 will happen to you, too. And it’ll come faster than you want or expect!
A Little More Perspective
The other day as I took my morning walk, I found myself reminding the Lord that “my theology compels me” to think a certain way. I mulled over a difficult circumstance and decided that my actions need to be informed by my “thoughts about God.” In that regard, how do I respond to the unexpected?
When life brings hardship, loss and difficulty, what do I do?
How about you? What do you do when things don’t turn out as you planned? How do you react to adversity?
Although not planned, the program for today is in may ways a continuation of the theme introduced yesterday. The late Barbara Johnson was a best-selling author and very popular speaker. In this conversation she describes how her faith allowed her to rediscover joy after experiencing several painful tragedies.
A Little Perspective
A little perspective is a good thing. As a parent, I am constantly (it seems) trying to help my children to see life through a broader lens. They seem far too focused on their own little world. Without some perspective, they can miss the fact that they are blessed beyond belief. They enjoy opportunities materially, emotionally, and spiritually that much of the world cannot imagine.
Of course, in writing that short paragraph, I am struck by my own shortcomings in this part of life. I whine and moan at times, forgetting that God has richly blessed me and I have no reason to complain. Frankly, I need some perspective, too!
With a personal testimony similar in some ways to Joni’s, in this series Eva Whittington Self describes how her faith has helped her deal with the emotional and physical challenges of being paralyzed.
Listen in, and get some perspective for the day.
No Fee Adoption?
When my wife and I started our adoption journey a few years ago, we knew the costs would be rather high. While I am compensated well by Focus, we already had five kids and a growing food and medical budget. But we trusted that God would provide.
When we were unable to adopt from Romania, though, and had to switch countries (to Russia), the costs escalated.
All told, God DID provide and more than we could have imagined.
I’ll admit that when I heard Dr. Ken Hutcherson say that his church provides fee-free adoptions, I was a bit skeptical.
“No Fee” adoption?
Whoever heard of such a thing? Journey through our collective heart, our desires, and our goals. We are much more than an adoption agency; we are a ministry! We are a ministry that helps potential adoptive families, young women and their families navigate the process. We have seen that elsewhere, it is a complicated, self-centered, and an expensive process. We have chosen to make it simple…
It’s a concept that has generated some skepticism and some discussion in the adoption community. You should become familiar with this unusual approach.
Here’s the studio conversation.
Get To Know Hutch
During my time at Focus, I have had the privilege of meeting many interesting people in the studio. Christian authors, politicians, musicians, people with stories to share.
Dr. Ken Hutcherson is one of the more memorable folks we’ve interviewed.
An imposing figure, with a booming voice and a confidence that pops. He is also very personable, humorous and…well, he is not afraid to say things that might offend some folks. Dr. Hutcherson is an energetic leader and speaker. He is a dynamic communicator. And he had one troubled childhood.
How did he get from “the wrong side of the tracks” and a life of violence to the pulpit, where he extolls righteousness , defends marriage and encourages adoption of orphans?
Hear his story here.
Statesmanship
No politics. No focus groups. No fear of backlash.
Just the straight story, with facts and an urgency that is heartfelt.
In an age of cynicism and self-promoting politicians, Senator Rick Santorum exhibited unusual courage in delivering a speech that laid out the facts about terrorism and the threats facing the U.S. His remarks were indicative of Mr. Santorum’s leadership, his statesmanship. He eschewed politics-as-usual. He sounded the clarion call. I wonder how many people are hearing him?
Listen to Thursday and Friday’s program. And tell someone you know about this powerful presentation.
You Probably Didn’t Know…
Did you hear Joel Rosenberg on today’s Focus on the Family? He said something incredibly encouraging.
In 1979 there were only 500 known believers in Christ living in Iran.
It is estimated there are now some 1 MILLION followers of Jesus in Iran.
From 500 to 1 MILLION in 28 years. Stunning!
The Gospel is truth. Jesus is life. We can thank God for bringing so many out of bondage into the light! And let’s continue to pray for a mighty move of God in lands which are (seemingly) tightly in the grip of the enemy. There is hope. We must not give into despair.
Reflecting Back, Looking Ahead
Where were you? This morning as I prepared for the day, I remembered that morning six years ago. The story breaking on my radio, indicating that a plane had crashed into the Twin Towers. Then minutes later the shock that a second plane had torn into those same buildings. The rush to the television screen to see the horror unfold, the sense of panic about what could happen next, the need to get to the office, as I knew without a doubt that we’d have some program changes in response to the attacks.
You remember where you were, what you were doing, don’t you?
It isn’t coincidental that this week we have an emphasis on Islamofacism. This is difficult stuff to address, but it is imperative that we tackle the subject. Your response the first time we aired these programs confirms that there is a hunger for biblical perspective on the matter or Islam, terrorism and biblical prophecy.
Joel Rosenberg has a fascinating resume’ and exudes that expertise in everything he writes. His books are compelling, his newsletter and website are “must reads” and his knowledge of the Scripture is impressive. He was a great guest, and t his two-day series is riveting, insightful and a bit disturbing.
Would you help us spread the word by telling a friend to listen in?
